Winter – Stillness and Hibernation

Section: 
prayers

Environment:
Bowl of soil and quiet atmosphere with enough light to read 

 
Introduction: 
The winter sends many animals and plants into hibernation—that is “spending the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition.” (Webster’s Dictionary) Hibernation brings on a stillness, a quietness that will nurture future growth and activity. As we move into this winter season, let’s spend some time reflecting on stillness, hibernation, and what future growth and activity that time of quiet will bring forth in us.
 
Readings:
Pause for quiet after each short reading to experience the stillness and be invited more deeply into it.
 
Reader One:     Ponder it on your beds, and be silent. (Ps. 4:4)                
 
Reader Two:    Now during those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God.
(Lk. 6:12)
                       
Reader One:     Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”  (Mk. 4:39)
                       
Reader Two:    Be still, and know that I am God. (Ps. 46:10)
                               
Reader One:     I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.  (Ps. 131:2)
                       
Reader Two:    Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Mt. 4:1)
                       
Reader One:     After he dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. (Mt. 14:22)
                       
Reader Two:    He withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. (Mt. 14:13)
                               
Reader One:     Be silent, all people, before the Lord. (Zec. 2:13)
                                                                                               
 
Reader Three:   A reading from Celano’s Life of St. Francis
                        Changed in mind but not in body, he now refused to go to Apulia and was anxious to direct his will to God’s. Thus he retired for a short time from the tumult and business of the world and was anxious to keep Jesus Christ in his inmost self. Like an experienced merchant, he concealed the pearl he had found from the eyes of mockers and selling all he had, he tried to buy it secretly.   


From I Celano, III, #6, p. 187 in Francis Assisi: Early Documents Vol. 1, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap., J.A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv., William J. Short, OFM. New York: New City Press, 1999. Used with permission.

 
Reflection and Faith Sharing
                        Sit quietly experiencing the stillness. How do you feel about the stillness, about hibernation? What is dormant in you that you hope the stillness of winter will bring to life? What would you like to plant in the soil? After ten or fifteen minutes, share your experience.
 
Conclusion:
Leader: Our Father . . .
 
                        Let us go in peace to experience the stillness and nurture what needs to come to life.
 
All:                   Thanks be to God.
 
 

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.